Council Revises Billboard Laws

The city council revised Kansas City's billboard restrictions yesterday. The changes will allow billboard companies to move a billboard a short distance rather than have it torn down if it is condemned for a public works project.

In return, the company will give up equivalent sign space elsewhere in the city. The council also resolved to step up enforcement of billboard restrictions, possibly financed by levying new two percent billboard tax. The plan satisfied Councilman John Sharp, principal author of the now revised billboard ordinance.

“This is not a defeat for people that were concerned about billboard blight in Kansas City," Sharp said. "I think we'll have a better-looking city as a result of all these things combined.”

The council also approved tax breaks for Menard's to improve roads a near its planned Northland store and for the expansion of the Lockton Insurance headquarters on the Plaza.